The two guards stood to attention as soon as she opened her door. Neither would meet her gaze. She recognized both as part of her father’s guard. There were four others, stationed at either end of the hall. Arianna was willing to bet there were even more beyond that. It might have irked her once, but given the very real threat they were about to face, she was forced to admit their presence was necessary. Part of her was glad Eoghan wasn’t here. She didn’t feel like talking or explaining, even if he could likely offer more insight.
Arianna turned down the hall and began walking. The two guards followed, though they kept their distance. She pulled on her magic, letting it rise to the surface of her skin. If anyone attacked her, they’d be in for a very unpleasant surprise. Anger bubbled beneath the surface, begging for release.
Rion. Why did her world seem to revolve around this male? What didn’t she remember that—sharp pain lanced through her head and Arianna stumbled toward the wall, bracing herself with one hand and pressing her fingers to her temple with the other. Her magic spilled over, shooting up and down the marble in a jagged pattern. Arianna clenched her fists. Gods, she wanted to scream, rage, fight. She wished her sparring match had lasted longer. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel like destroying this entire hall.
Arianna pushed up from the wall, shoving her pain down before breaking into a sprint. She took random turns with little care. Ice followed in her wake. She couldn’t contain it anymore. There was too much happening, too many emotions flooding her body.
Frost covered the vases and flowers as she passed. It crawled across the massive curtains and windows, freezing the once billowing material and rendering the other side of the glass invisible. Her breath came out in small clouds, her heart racing right along with it.
She couldn’t do this. It was too much. But … what other choice did she have? Thanks to Vairik, her home had been destroyed. Thanks to Vairik, her memories had been altered. Thanks to Vairik, she might never get the chance to discover who she really was.
Arianna stopped and leaned against another wall, sliding down before wrapping her arms around her knees. The guards didn’t appear again. She was grateful, especially as a tear escaped and slid down her cheek before freezing at the edge of her chin. Arianna furiously brushed it away, then let her head fall back.
A large painting hung before her, the face obscured in shadow without the chandeliers illuminating the hall. Carvings surrounded it, the same ones that seemed to stretch over everything. A long table sat just below the painting, statues on either side, with flora covering everything.
Arianna wondered if anyone even knew who the portrait belonged to. The male had a crown on his head. He was handsome, if the shadows allowed her to judge correctly. He had intense eyes that promised loyalty toward those he cared for and death to his enemies.
A king?
Everything in the palace told a story. It was etched into the very foundation. It had probably been etched into Levea’s estate, too. How many times had she simply walked by without a passing thought?
Things were suddenly coming into focus. The librarian she’d never liked. The statues that hadn’t quite resembled theFairy Folk. The tomes in Ruadhán that had been written in a language no one could decipher.
Vairik was everywhere.
Ten thousand years …
Arianna’s gaze returned to the end of the hall. She should go see her sister. The guards could lead her there.
Don’t hurt him.
Gooseflesh rose on Arianna’s arms at the memory of Ellie’s plea. Were the words really directed at her, or were they simply a chant Ellie had been screaming inside her own mind? Was her sister being forced to watch the gruesome scene of Kirian’s death over and over again?
Another tear slipped free. There hadn’t even been time to grieve Kirian. Had Talon already told Avalon what’d happened? And if not, should she? Someone needed to tell Kirian’s mother, if she was even still alive, but … what were they supposed to say? The female had lost her home and now she’d realize she’d lost her youngling as well. He’d been so young.
Arianna dropped her head into her hands. Gods, how had everything gone so wrong?
Her heart ached, her body and mind with it. So much loss and turmoil, and there was nothing they could do except prepare for the inevitable.
After a few more moments, Arianna stood again and meandered down the halls until her gaze snagged on an open balcony. Her magic still followed, but it didn’t freeze the curtains this time. The warm breeze ruffled her hair, and Arianna took in a deep breath, moving to the edge where she laid her hands gently along the stone railing. Large white flowers bloomed at the end of thin, delicate vines that had woven their way around the stone and up each side of the balcony edges.
Arianna stared out over the gardens. Gardens that reminded her of another place. That one had been beautifultoo, but it carried too many sinister memories now. She still couldn’t shake the image of the Fae beneath the city, fueling it. Arianna still didn’t even understand how that worked. Runes, she knew, but where had Vairik learned them? Where was all this lost knowledge? Sive knew of it. She could probably explain everything, but they still didn’t know if Sive was even alive.
“You, of all people, shouldn’t be out here alone.”
Arianna started and whirled to find Eimear standing at the entrance to the balcony. The sheer green curtains billowed out around her, giving the High Lady of Brónach an ethereal look in the pale moonlight.
“I’m not,” Arianna said, gesturing down the hall.
Eimear followed her hand and a slight smile spread across her face. “Yes, I have them as well, though we can’t really blame those responsible for being cautious, now can we?”
“I suppose not.”
The High Lady strode forward, standing just out of arm’s reach as she looked upon the gardens below. Arianna wondered how much this place had changed during the years Eimear was in captivity. Were there things she missed? Things that surprised her? Others that angered her even more?
“How are you doing?” Eimear asked, breaking the silence.
“I feel like I should be asking you that.”
